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The News in Brief

Wednesday, September 13
FM Janelidze Meets Armenian Counterpart, President

Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze met his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian and President Serzh Sargsyan on September 11 during a one-day working visit to Yerevan.

Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported after Mikheil Janelidze’s meeting with Edward Nalbandian the two diplomats spoke about bilateral relations between the two countries. “Particular emphasis was drawn to trade and economic cooperation prospects, including transport, energy, culture, tourism and other fields,” the Ministry stated.

“The sides also outlined the steps aimed at resolving the issues of Georgian-Armenians’ concern,” the Armenian Foreign Ministry stated.

The Armenian President’s office said in its press release of the meeting, that along with bilateral relations, Minister Janelidze and President Sargsyan also discussed the Georgian-Armenian cooperation in international and multilateral formats.

At both of his meetings in Yerevan, Minister Janelidze expressed gratitude to Armenia for its support in quelling the massive forest fire in Borjomi in late August.

Armenia is one of the leading trade partners for Georgia, according to the State Statistics Office, Geostat. Georgia’s trade turnover with Armenia stood at USD 367.6 million in 2016, with exports at USD 150.8 million (USD 180.1 million in 2015) and imports at USD 216.8 million (USD 175 million in 2015). (Civil.ge)



,b>Another Georgian soldier injured in Afghanistan

One Georgian soldier has been slightly injured after a suicide bomber attacked a convoy from the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan on September 11.

The attack took place near Bagram airfield, outside the capital Kabul.

The Georgian Defence Ministry said in a statement a short time ago that corporal ZaurKomakhidze suffered a minor barotrauma and his life is no under risk.

Barotrauma is an injury caused by a change in air pressure, affecting typically the ear or the lung. The Ministry did not specify which was the case for Komakhidze.

However, the Ministry added that the Georgian peacekeeper is currently undergoing necessary medical tests at the military hospital of Bagram airfield, after which he is most likely to be discharged tomorrow.

International media reported that three civilians were also injured following the terror attack.

Resolute Support headquarters in Kabul said that it will release details once more information became available.

The Taliban claimed the attack that came a few days after a bomber blew himself up outside the military facility, leaving three Georgian peacekeepers injured. The health condition of one of these three is critical and is being treated in Germany. (Agenda.ge)



Bridget Brink praises Georgia’s reforms

Deputy Assistant of U.S. Secretary of State Bridget Brink has praised the reforms implemented in Georgia and welcomed the significant progress achieved by the country.

Bridget Brink has held a meeting with Georgia’s PM, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, yesterday.

As reported by Georgia’s governmental administration, the parties have discussed the Georgia-U.S strategic partnership, planned reforms and U.S Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to Georgia.

According to Georgia’s Prime Minister, Vice President Mike Pence’s visit confirmed once again that the United States is Georgia’s devoted friend and trustful geopolitical ally as well as main strategic partner.

Georgia’s progress at the European and Euro-Atlantic integration has also been emphasized during the meeting.

As Bridget Brink has declared, U.S. continues supporting Georgia’s democratic development, as well as economy, defense and security.

U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly, First Deputy FM Davit Zalkaliani and PM’s Advisor for External Affairs TedoJaparidzehave attended the meeting. (IPN)